Switzerland doesn't normally invoke images of lush subtropical plants, but this striking greenhouse designed by <a href="http://id-a.ch/projekte/07048_bog">Buehrer Wuest Architekten</a> allows bananas and papayas to flourish in these northern climes. Inspired by shapes and structures found in nature, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanical_garden">the botanical garden</a> greenhouse in the village of Grüningen features four five-meter-tall steel trees that branch out into a canopy.

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Gruningen Greenhouse by Buehrer Wuest Architekten

The Gruningen greenhouse was built to exist in harmony with the surrounding environment

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Gruningen Greenhouse by Buehrer Wuest Architekten

Four five meter tall steel trees provide the main structural support

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Gruningen Greenhouse by Buehrer Wuest Architekten

The stumps then arch into a canopy of steel branches

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Gruningen Greenhouse by Buehrer Wuest Architekten

The entire structure is then topped with a geometric roof

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Gruningen Greenhouse by Buehrer Wuest Architekten

The site plan shows how the design vaguely mimics cell division

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Gruningen Greenhouse by Buehrer Wuest Architekten

Note how the steel trees are arranged

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Gruningen Greenhouse by Buehrer Wuest Architekten

Switzerland doesn't normally invoke images of lush subtropical plants, but this striking greenhouse designed by Buehrer Wuest Architekten allows bananas and papayas to flourish in these northern climes. Inspired by shapes and structures found in nature, the botanical garden greenhouse in the village of Grüningen features four five-meter-tall steel trees that branch out into a canopy.